Last-Minute Gift Ideas 

Ok, procrastinators: it's pretty much too late to order gifts online, the malls are crazy, and you just don't have time to build that spice rack.

We are here to help!

We have lots of great gift ideas at every price level. Consider the following suggestions:

G i f t   C a r d s

We've got 'em: the easiest no-brainer possible for the consumer of fine wine/beer/liquor in your life! Available in any denomination.

T a s t i n g   K i t s

The response to these has really exceeded our expectations, and they are going fast! In case you missed our previous emails, they consist of 6 wines in a decorative box, and come with tasting notes for each wine, at 10% off the regular prices of the wines! A great deal, each kit focuses on a region or grape (6 wines from France, or 6 wines made with Pinot Noir for example), and are a great way to learn more about wine. Call (228-3311) or email (info@woodlandwinemerchant.com) for more info, or if you'd like us to set one aside for you.

S t o c k   T h e i r    B a r

Whether it's something cool and exotic that they'd never think to buy themselves, or their standard well beverage, they'll be happy that someone else is stocking the bar.

We Recommend:

  

- Single Malt Scotch

We have a nice selection of these; they're like the Napa Cabs of Whisky (no "e," thank you very much!). All the ones your scotch-loving friend/relative loves, but that you can't pronounce: we've got 'em!  

 

 

- Small Batch Bourbons

We've mentioned these recently, but just a refresher on the ones we'd most like to find under our trees! We have many more, at all price levels.

 

George T Stagg, $70, is bottled at barrel proof and this time around is 144.8 proof! Although the potency is through the roof, with a dash of water this is very sippable bourbon. Lots of what bourbon lovers crave: rich carmel, vanilla, leather and toasted honey spice! This has become extremely sought after by collectors and therefore is extremely scarce.

 

Pappy Van Winkle 20yr old, $100, recently rated #1 bourbon by the New York Times, this is a far more subtle and nuanced bourbon than the Stagg. The old age of this bourbon really softens the hard edges that many younger bourbons tend to have. This is one to enjoy neat, although a splash of cold water really opens up the aromatics which display dizzying complexity. This is a very special bottle that would impress any bourbon snob or novice.

 

Eagle Rare Single Barrel, $30, is an amazing find. Single barrel bourbon in this price range, and quality level, is almost unheard of. Aged for 10 years this is one for fans of less sweet, well- balanced bourbon. Lots of character and complexity, this is luxury that you can afford.

 

 

- Mean Martini Mixers

We've got some really cool flavored vodkas and liquors that the adventurous martini drinker could really have some fun with: blood orange vodka, limoncello, and more.

 

 

- After-Dinner

An oft-overlooked category, these make great gifts because, well, they are often overlooked (but consistently the most popular items at tastings). We have a range of some fabulous ports (both vintage and non-vintage, tawny and ruby), some KILLER Madeiras (the original American beverage of choice), Tocaji, Sauternes and Sherrys. Most of these are NOT the sickly sweet sticky stuff that is usually thought of as "dessert wines." There are also many great "digestif" options that are a nice change of pace (Pimm's, Amaro, Chartreuse, Grappa and more), as well as providing some relief from holiday over-indulgence!

S t a r t  /  S t o c k   T h e i r   C e l l a r

Starting a cellar is tough: it's something all wine lovers wish they could do, but it's also hard to buy yourself a bottle you know you won't be opening any time soon. So, help the aspiring collector: give them something they can hang on to. And maybe throw in one they can drink while they wait!

 

Drink Later: Barolo. We have a great selection of many wonderful Barolos, a wine made from the Nebbiolo grape in Italy's northwestern Piedmont region. They start around $50 and going up to $90, all with great ratings. These are wines which age incredibly gracefully, and can be held for as long as 20 years (or more!).

Drink Now: Piemonte Reds. We have several wines made from the grapes of Piedmont (Dolcetto, Barbera, or Nebbiolo), meant to be drunk much younger than those of Barolo, and around the $20 range.

 

Drink Later: Red Burgundy Crus. Often a bit prickly in their youth, the higher levels of Burgundy Pinot Noirs benefit immeasurably from a little patience. We have a 2005 Cote de Nuits Villages from Domaine Gachot-Monot ($34) and a 2005 Nuits-Saint-Georges from Domaine Robert Chevillon ($40) which are both fine candidates for some layin' down.

Drink Now: A straight-up Bourgogne can be enjoyed young n fresh, such as the 2005 Domaine Maurice Ecard "Les Perrieres" ($19). We also highly recommend Cru Beaujolais for sophisticated early drinking; we are hooked on the 2006 Domaine Diochon Moulin-a-Vent ($25).

 

Drink Later: Whites. Really? Whites? Yeah! People don't think of aging whites as much as they do reds, but in reality, some of the wines which age best are white. You've got your Chardonnay from Burgundy (we lust after the 2003 Jean-Marc Pillot Chassagne-Montrachet ($70) or the Villaine "Les Clous" Cote Chalonnaise ($29)), Riesling from Germany (perhaps the longest-lived white grape out there; we love the 2005 J&H.A. Strub Spatlese ($25)), and Gruner Veltliner from Austria (go for the off-the-hook Hirtzberger ($39)).

Drink Now: Whites. Tons of options here for the white-lover. We'll mention one of the cooler-looking labels with an equally cool wine inside: Almondo Arneis from Italy ($24). Arneis is the grape, and it will be a delight for fans of light, dry, crisp whites. 

 

Drink Later: Big California Cabs. Kind of a cellar no-brainer: these can be as much a status symbol in a cellar as anything else (though they are quite delicious as well, especially with some maturity)! The names you hear consistently on Wine Spectator's Top 100 lists will get the job done nicely: Caymus, Chateau Montelena, Veraison & Neyers. $50 - $140.

Drink Now: Big Reds that Aren't Cab. Perfect, unexpected wines that the lover of Big California Cabs will be pleasantly surprised by: Tahuan Syrah ($20; made by Ernesto Catena in Argentina, it packs the structure and body of a Cab); Mas Igneus Priorat ($28; lots of dark fruit and tar with fantastic structure); Chateau de Cruzeau ($26; from Bordeaux's Left Bank, this Cab-based wine also blends in some Merlot and Cab Franc. Bordeaux is what inspired California winemakers to grow Cab, after all!).

 

 

S t a r t   T h e i r   C e l e b r a t i o n

We can't recommend Bubbly enough as a wonderful gift idea. You're basically giving "festive." Champagne, or any sparkling wine for that matter, just makes people happy. You pop it, everyone goes "Cheers!", and life is good.

 

1996 Salon

Possibly the best and most sought-after Champagne in the world, though not as widely known outside connoisseur circles as things like Dom Perignon (which we also stock). Made with 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Les Mesnil vineyard and from a classic vintage, it's lavish, sophisticated and utterly beautiful. Lightly toasted brioche, vanilla, meyer lemon, chalk and minerality all coalesce seamlessly, with creamy finesse throughout. Unbeatable. $298

 

Pierre Gimonnet Brut 1er Cru

Another Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay), this is what we toasted with at our staff party. One of the "Grower Champagnes" we wrote about a while ago, it is made by the same estate who grew all the grapes that went into it. Delicate, creamy and elegant with a bit of spice and lots of finesse: in short, everything you could want in a Blanc de Blancs. $50

 

Montaudon Brut

One of the last true values we've been able to find in a true Champagne. Blending all three of the traditionally Champagne grapes (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier), it's toastier and a bit heavier than the Gimonnet. $35

 

Boniface Brut de Savoie

A great value in non-Champagne bubbly, this delicate wine comes from a region in the French Alps, and is actually quite reminiscent of a clean mountain stream. A perfect aperitif. $20

 

 

-- H O L I D A Y    H O U R S --

 

Monday, Dec 24: 10am - 6pm

Tuesday, Dec 25: Closed

Wednesday, Dec 26: 10am - 9pm

 

We wish you all the very happiest of holidays, and offer our most genuine thanks for your business in our opening months! We are proud to be a part of this wonderful neighborhood.

 - Will, Mary, Tyler & Courtney